The 2019 Executive committee

SteveFarnham

President

Steve has been President for the past 2 years and has been a member of the executive since 2012. Over that period, he has been involved on the various committees of the executive and has enjoyed his year as president representing the chamber’s interests at town council meetings and liaising with the other local authorities, Dorchester BID, other local chambers and the LEP. Steve is a partner at Porter Dodson solicitors, practicing in commercial property.

PeterGreenaway

Vice-President

Peter has been part of the Chamber Executive since 2015 and has been Vice President since 2017. With a background in operations management and then specialising in HR Management, he works as an HR consultant supporting a number of local businesses with all their people management needs. He also spends a lot of time breeding sport horses near Piddlehinton, specialising in dressage, show jumping and eventing, though he hasn’t been on a horse himself for many years.

JonEdge

Treasurer

Jon is a Chartered Certified Accountant at Albert Goodman, where he acts for a variety of clients, ranging from self-employed individuals to medium sized Companies, specialising in accountancy, tax and business advice. Jon has been Treasurer and overseer of the Chamber’s finances for a number of years.

MirandaWoodgate

Secretary

Appointed by the Executive Committee as Secretary in January 2015, Miranda has seen the Chamber membership double in size. With a background in corporate finance and merchant/international banking, she is now owner of The Resourcery, a company specialising in marketing, event and print management, and is the organiser of the popular Dorvil Business Networking group.

SteveBulley

Executive

Steve has been part of the Chamber exec for eight years, having spent two years as Vice President and a 3-year Presidential term. Head of Business Engagement for the county-wide Dorset Chamber, looking after members and working on member benefits. With a background in management, PR and broadcasting as the former Managing Director and presenter at local radio station Wessex FM he brings a wealth of experience to the executive team.

IanCampbell

Executive

Ian is a Private Client Solicitor with Blanchards Bailey based in Poundbury, Dorchester and has actively been involved in the Chamber since 2017, joining the Executive in 2018. He joined the Executive Committee to be more involved with the local community and to contribute towards having a positive impact on the local area.

JuliaCohen

Executive

Julia joined the Executive in 2017 and is also Vice President for the Weymouth Chamber of Commerce, Council Ambassador for Dorset Chamber of Commerce and was formerly a director of Weymouth BID. Julia is now Head of External Partnerships and is the link for business and commercial activity supporting curriculum development and venue hire for the College, involving collaboration between the local and wider business community.

SandyJordan

Executive

Sandy has been an Executive Member of the Dorchester Chamber For Business since 2015 and is also an Executive Member of the Dorchester BID. She is the owner of Jordans Jewellers in Princes Street, Dorchester, an independent jewellers that specialise in antique jewellery but also offer a wide range of new gold and silver too. She lives with her husband and 3 dogs and enjoys long walks, cycling and paddle-boarding.

WilliamSparling

Executive

Manager at a local country Hotel, Will brings a wealth of Hospitality and Events knowledge to the Executive. Before moving to Dorset, he has, amongst other things, delivered over 2500 events, owned an Event Management Company for 10 years and worked on a Superyacht chartering in the Caribbean and Med including an Atlantic crossing. He’s looking forward to meeting the Chamber Members at the forthcoming events and getting to know the local area.

CarolinePaul

Executive

Caroline has been a member of the Dorchester Chamber Executive for 10 years. She owns and runs Giants Head Caravan Camping Park at Cerne Abbas and is a long standing Trail Writer for Treasure Trails, writing Trails in Dorset, New Forest and South Devon. In a ‘previous life’ she spend 25 years in Financial services advising on investments, pensions and mortgages.

JaneRayner

Executive

Jane has over 25 years’ experience working in journalism, PR and event management for clients, from FTSE100 businesses to smaller organisations and individuals. Jane set up Lulu Consulting to provide communications support and guidance to local businesses. She was co-opted onto the Comms Sub-committee in April to learn the ropes as Mary Hogarth will be standing down at the next AGM.

RosieLee

Executive

Rosie owns The Embroidery Barn just outside of Dorchester. She trained as a watersports instructor when she was 17, teaching in various places around the world. Seven years later she decided to take on the big challenge of taking over an embroidery business. Her passion for the environment and sustainability has driven her to make her business as green as possible. She hopes to help the local community become as green as possible too!

RickSimmonds

Executive

Rick has over a quarter of a century’s experience in the radio industry, a number of years based at Dorset radio stations – including his current role as Managing Director of Wessex FM. Outside of his role with Wessex, Rick is active in both Weymouth & Portland and Dorchester Chambers of Commerce and assists in charity fundraising and marketing at local Rotary events. He sees his involvement on the executive committee as a personal commitment to local business and the community at large – effectively an extension of the ‘day job’!